Semi-quick Update
I didn't realize I hadn't made a real post regarding myself in over a month. That's been kinda on purpose, but it's longer than I thought it was. So what's been going on lately? Really, only a couple items that I've alluded to before, so here's the latest:
First, when I gave the 6-month HRT update, I mentioned that I was cleared to increase my Estradiol if I wanted. I didn't increase right away, though due to timing, the pharmacy filled another prescription and I wound up with extra. After a couple weeks, I decided to go for it. I started taking 6 mg daily (2 pills in the morning, 1 at night). That's been 2-3 weeks ago now.
I don't think that there's any change due to that yet, but one thing I noticed is that I'm really aware of my breasts. It's not that they are super prominent, but they are definitely there. Nobody has said anything to me, but I notice, and so, my days of going shirtless at home are over. I've had my pic taken at a couple work events lately, in guy mode of course, and I look extra goofy when wearing a thin shirt. Luckily, Fall might have finally arrived, so the thicker guy shirts will be returning soon. I've also recently started wearing more camis to bed, and that's been fun. The feeling of the cami strap when it's fallen from the shoulder to the upper arm is divine.
While increasing the "E" could easily be chalked up as an effect of Pink Fog, the other newer development has been much more practical. I think I mentioned it here before, but basically, the last time I saw my doctor, they were concerned because my kidney function was off a bit. This gets measured by the creatinine level in my blood.
They suggested I see a specialist about the kidneys, and I finally got that done this past week. I went there on Monday, and it lead step-by-step to me freaking out a little bit. I'm diabetic, so my urine sample showed my sugar might be high. Which lead to a finger prick to check. It was high. I knew it was, as my diet has been crap lately. Lots of stress, as usual, has had me not caring much about what or how much I was eating. No excuse.
When I saw the nephrologist, we talked over my most recent labs, and what they meant. I'm no scientist, and I hope I understand it correctly. My potassium levels were quite high back in late June. That can be caused by diet, or, and this seems to have been the case, medications. Spiro is known to elevate these levels, and I had started taking twice as much only weeks before. As it turns out, it might have been further exacerbated my Lisinopril, which I've been on for a long time for my BP. That combo can be hard on the kidneys.
The doctor wanted new labs, which I gave there that day, and also an ultrasound on my kidneys. She stated that stopping Spiro might be needed. I explained how it was important for me to be on that, and so other options to be considered were diet changes or an additional medicine to counteract the potassium. In fact, she gave me samples of that med, with instructions to not take it until the labs were in.
At that point, I didn't immediately freak out but woke up Tuesday in a fairly sad mood. What happens to my identity if I cannot take the T-blocker anymore? Dysphoria does this to a person. I didn't think rationally at first and feared the worst. I managed to hold it together and get through the day. I knew the lab results would be back soon, and we'd know more.
Around noon Wednesday, while I was on a work call, the doctor left a message that my labs were "stable" and to call her back. I did but didn't make contact until a few hours later. "Stable" sounded positive, but what exactly did it mean? It meant that my creatinine level was back down to an acceptable level. She told me to watch the potassium amounts in my foods, drink more water, and come back in a month. The ultrasound became optional. I'll do that later if need be.
Feeling better and more rationally, I asked about Spiro. I didn't have to stop (WHEW!) but couldn't increase the dosage again (BOO!). That bummed me out, but it was far less worrisome than the alternative of dying from kidney failure. Perspective. It helps to have some.
I still don't like the fact I got scared by the effects of Spiro and wondered about an alternative T-blocker. After some research and emails back and forth with my PCP, we are going to try switching to Bicalutimide. The cool thing is I've learned how to say and spell it. LOL. The even cooler thing is that it acts differently, affecting more DHT than regular testosterone. And so shouldn't hurt my kidneys. That's the idea at least.
I'm going to try the new med for a time and get checked in a month or so. I know this is another long post I didn't intend on, but I hope that someone reading this gets some of the detail and realizes how incredibly important it is to not do HRT without proper, regular, checkups by medical professionals that know what they are doing. I cannot stress it enough. I knew it before, and the recent episode has reinforced it in my mind. And so I pass it along to anyone reading this.
That's it for now. I'd love to hear from anyone who has any thoughts, ideas, or experiences in this area. Education is power. I'm learning, but there is so much more to know. I added links to some of the meds in this post, but please seek out more info from doctors. Yout life depends on it!
First, when I gave the 6-month HRT update, I mentioned that I was cleared to increase my Estradiol if I wanted. I didn't increase right away, though due to timing, the pharmacy filled another prescription and I wound up with extra. After a couple weeks, I decided to go for it. I started taking 6 mg daily (2 pills in the morning, 1 at night). That's been 2-3 weeks ago now.
I don't think that there's any change due to that yet, but one thing I noticed is that I'm really aware of my breasts. It's not that they are super prominent, but they are definitely there. Nobody has said anything to me, but I notice, and so, my days of going shirtless at home are over. I've had my pic taken at a couple work events lately, in guy mode of course, and I look extra goofy when wearing a thin shirt. Luckily, Fall might have finally arrived, so the thicker guy shirts will be returning soon. I've also recently started wearing more camis to bed, and that's been fun. The feeling of the cami strap when it's fallen from the shoulder to the upper arm is divine.
While increasing the "E" could easily be chalked up as an effect of Pink Fog, the other newer development has been much more practical. I think I mentioned it here before, but basically, the last time I saw my doctor, they were concerned because my kidney function was off a bit. This gets measured by the creatinine level in my blood.
They suggested I see a specialist about the kidneys, and I finally got that done this past week. I went there on Monday, and it lead step-by-step to me freaking out a little bit. I'm diabetic, so my urine sample showed my sugar might be high. Which lead to a finger prick to check. It was high. I knew it was, as my diet has been crap lately. Lots of stress, as usual, has had me not caring much about what or how much I was eating. No excuse.
When I saw the nephrologist, we talked over my most recent labs, and what they meant. I'm no scientist, and I hope I understand it correctly. My potassium levels were quite high back in late June. That can be caused by diet, or, and this seems to have been the case, medications. Spiro is known to elevate these levels, and I had started taking twice as much only weeks before. As it turns out, it might have been further exacerbated my Lisinopril, which I've been on for a long time for my BP. That combo can be hard on the kidneys.
The doctor wanted new labs, which I gave there that day, and also an ultrasound on my kidneys. She stated that stopping Spiro might be needed. I explained how it was important for me to be on that, and so other options to be considered were diet changes or an additional medicine to counteract the potassium. In fact, she gave me samples of that med, with instructions to not take it until the labs were in.
At that point, I didn't immediately freak out but woke up Tuesday in a fairly sad mood. What happens to my identity if I cannot take the T-blocker anymore? Dysphoria does this to a person. I didn't think rationally at first and feared the worst. I managed to hold it together and get through the day. I knew the lab results would be back soon, and we'd know more.
Around noon Wednesday, while I was on a work call, the doctor left a message that my labs were "stable" and to call her back. I did but didn't make contact until a few hours later. "Stable" sounded positive, but what exactly did it mean? It meant that my creatinine level was back down to an acceptable level. She told me to watch the potassium amounts in my foods, drink more water, and come back in a month. The ultrasound became optional. I'll do that later if need be.
Feeling better and more rationally, I asked about Spiro. I didn't have to stop (WHEW!) but couldn't increase the dosage again (BOO!). That bummed me out, but it was far less worrisome than the alternative of dying from kidney failure. Perspective. It helps to have some.
I still don't like the fact I got scared by the effects of Spiro and wondered about an alternative T-blocker. After some research and emails back and forth with my PCP, we are going to try switching to Bicalutimide. The cool thing is I've learned how to say and spell it. LOL. The even cooler thing is that it acts differently, affecting more DHT than regular testosterone. And so shouldn't hurt my kidneys. That's the idea at least.
I'm going to try the new med for a time and get checked in a month or so. I know this is another long post I didn't intend on, but I hope that someone reading this gets some of the detail and realizes how incredibly important it is to not do HRT without proper, regular, checkups by medical professionals that know what they are doing. I cannot stress it enough. I knew it before, and the recent episode has reinforced it in my mind. And so I pass it along to anyone reading this.
That's it for now. I'd love to hear from anyone who has any thoughts, ideas, or experiences in this area. Education is power. I'm learning, but there is so much more to know. I added links to some of the meds in this post, but please seek out more info from doctors. Yout life depends on it!
Hi Shannyn,
ReplyDeleteI am happy for you that your kidney issues are resolved for now. And congratulations on going up on your estrogen does. Can you really see the difference in your breasts. I wait for the day when I will see that.